Three Major Incidents Petition Movement - Sandaijikenkenpakuundo

A political movement succeeding the Freedom and People's Rights Movement that took place in 1887 (Meiji 20). In 1886, the government held its first treaty revision conference, and at the eighth conference in October, Foreign Minister Inoue Kaoru presented a proposed revision to the representatives of 12 countries, which included the appointment of foreign judges and mixed residence in the mainland. In the following year, 1887, legal advisor Boissonade submitted a letter of opinion stating that the proposed revision was harmful to Japan's independence, honor, and security and should be withdrawn. When this was leaked, Torio Koyata and Tani Kanjo, who had just returned from a European inspection tour, strongly opposed the proposal, and Tani in particular submitted a thorough letter of opposition to Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi, petitioned him, and resigned. This prompted civil rights activists, who had maintained their unity through social gatherings and other events even after the dissolution of the Liberal Party in 1884, to launch opposition movements in various places. Wealthy farmers (landlords) also participated in the movement. Among them, Kataoka Kenkichi, the representative of Kochi Prefecture, and others submitted a petition for three major issues to the Senate, which called for (1) freedom of speech, (2) reduction of land tax, and (3) restoration of diplomacy. Representatives from each prefecture also came to Tokyo one after another carrying the petition. Later, under the guidance of Hoshi Toru and Ozaki Yukio, the movement expanded to three prefectures and 35 prefectures. Fearing the situation would escalate, the government decided to indefinitely postpone the treaty revision conference in July and to have Foreign Minister Inoue resign (he actually resigned on September 17), and then in December issued the Security Ordinance, expelling 570 central figures of the movement from Tokyo. Although they succeeded in getting Inoue's treaty revision proposal withdrawn, many were arrested and imprisoned. As a result, the Three Major Incidents Petition Movement gradually came to an end, but it was succeeded by the Great Unity Movement, which was proposed within the movement, the revival of the Liberal Party, and the People's Party movement under the early parliament.

[Takaaki Ikai, September 19, 2018]

"Meiji Political History, Vol. 1," edited by Sashihara Yasuzo ("Meiji Culture Collection, Vol. 2," 1928; "Meiji Culture Collection, Vol. 9," 1968, Nippon Hyoronsha)" ▽ "The Life of Viscount Tani Kanjo, by Hirao Michio (1935, Tomiyama Publishing; Reprint, 1981, Shozansha)" ▽ "The History of Japanese Political Parties, Vol. 2," by Masumi Junnosuke (1966; New Edition, 2011, University of Tokyo Press)" ▽ "Treaty Revision," by Inoue Kiyoshi (Iwanami Shinsho)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

1887年（明治20）に起こった自由民権運動を継承する政治運動。1886年政府は初めて条約改正会議を開催したが、10月の第8回会議で外務大臣井上馨(いのうえかおる)は、内地雑居、外人判事任用を内容とする改正案を12か国代表に呈示した。法律顧問ボアソナードは翌1887年に改正案は日本の独立、名誉、安全にとって有害であり撤回すべきだとの意見書を提出、このことが漏洩(ろうえい)するや、欧州視察から帰国したばかりの鳥尾小弥太(とりおこやた)や谷干城(たにかんじょう)は強硬に反対し、とくに谷は徹底的な反対意見書を首相伊藤博文(いとうひろぶみ)に提出し、かつ上奏して辞職した。これを機に、1884年の自由党解党後も懇親会などを通じて結合を持続していた民権家たちは、各地で反対運動に立ち上がった。豪農（地主）たちも運動に参加した。このなかで高知県代表片岡健吉(かたおかけんきち)らは、(1)言論の自由、(2)地租軽減、(3)外交の回復を内容とする三大事件建白を元老院に提出し、各府県代表も建白書を携えて続々入京した。その後星亨(ほしとおる)や尾崎行雄の指導で運動は3府35県にまで拡大した。事態の進展を恐れた政府は、7月条約改正会議の無期延期と井上外相の辞職を決め（実際の辞職は9月17日）、さらに12月保安条例を発布して運動の中心人物570名を東京から追放した。井上の条約改正案を撤回させることには成功したが、逮捕、投獄される者が続出した。これにより三大事件建白運動はしだいに終息していったが、これはこの運動のなかで提起された大同団結運動、自由党の再興、初期議会下での民党運動へと引き継がれていった。

［猪飼隆明　2018年9月19日］

『指原安三編「明治政史　上」（『明治文化全集　第2巻』1928／『明治文化全集　第9巻』1968・日本評論社）』▽『平尾道雄著『子爵谷干城伝』（1935・冨山房／複製・1981・象山社）』▽『升味準之輔著『日本政党史論　第2巻』（1966／新装版・2011・東京大学出版会）』▽『井上清著『条約改正』（岩波新書）』

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